African Kalimbas (mbira, likembe or thumb piano)

The kalimba is a plucked idiophone unique to Africa and widely distributed throughout the continent. It is commonly played as an accompaniment to song, but in some areas it is used for purely instrumental music.

Kalimbas have played a part in African culture for 800 years. After work in the evening, Africans sit in a circle, tell beautiful stories, sing and play kalimba. They are also used to pass the time on long journeys on foot.

The kalimba consists of a set of tuned metal or bamboo tongues of varying length fitted to a board, box or calabash resonator, their free ends being twanged by the player's thumbs and fingers. Board mounted kalimbas are often played inside gourds or bowls for increased resonance.

We offer kalimbas for the professional musician and for the beginning music maker. We have a 12 note tunable that is African made and a budget 8 note from Africa as well. We also found some wonderful American made kalimbas that we had to offer as well.

8 Note Tunable Kalimba $12.00